Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan on Tuesday requested $14 million in additional security funding for the upcoming fiscal year, citing a significant increase in threats against the judiciary. Barrett shared a personal anecdote, revealing she had to explain the purpose of a bulletproof vest to her son.
During a House hearing, Barrett recounted receiving a bulletproof vest when threats against her were particularly intense. "I carried it into my house, put it into my bedroom, dropped it down on the table, turned around, and my 12-year-old son was standing in the middle of my bedroom," Barrett said. "He wanted to know what it was and why I had it." She expressed surprise that her service on the court had led to such explanations for her children.
Barrett and Kagan noted that threats against Supreme Court justices are projected to rise by 38 percent this year, following a 25 percent increase last year. "Those statistics sound abstract, but being on the receiving end of them is not," Barrett told lawmakers.
This appearance marked the first time in seven years that Supreme Court justices testified together on Capitol Hill. Chief Justice John Roberts has also publicly addressed the escalating concerns. In a recent speech at Rice University, Roberts stated, "Personally directed hostility is dangerous, and it’s got to stop." His remarks were interpreted by some as a subtle reference to then-President Donald Trump's past public criticisms of federal judges.
Barrett's sister, who resides in South Carolina, was also the subject of a separate threat last year. The justices' plea for increased funding underscores the growing security challenges faced by members of the Supreme Court amid what they describe as a rise in violent rhetoric and threats.